What measures are needed to address Delhi’s heat crisis?, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Delhi-NCR faces increasingly intense and prolonged heatwaves due to rapid urbanisation and loss of green cover.
• Concrete and glass-heavy infrastructure trap heat, raising surface temperatures to 50-60°C during peak hours.
• Cooling systems expel heat, increasing ambient temperatures by 1-2°C, creating a feedback loop of rising energy demand.
• Heat-related productivity decline costs India over $100 billion annually, impacting factories, supply chains, and transport.

Detailed Insights:

• The Urban Heat Island Effect is intensified by materials like concrete and asphalt, which absorb and slowly release heat, preventing nighttime cooling.
• Glass-heavy architecture increases reliance on air conditioning, further contributing to heat expulsion and energy consumption.
• High-density construction and loss of traditional cooling systems like courtyards restrict airflow, exacerbating heat accumulation.
• Addressing the crisis requires shifting to high-albedo surfaces, cool roofs, and expanding green infrastructure like urban forests and water bodies.
• Sustainable transport, energy-efficient appliances, and district cooling systems are crucial for reducing heat generated by human activity.
• Social protection measures like affordable housing upgrades and community cooling centers are necessary for vulnerable populations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Urban Heat Island Effect: Metropolitan areas are significantly warmer than their surroundings due to human activities.
• High-Albedo Surfaces: Materials that reflect a high percentage of solar radiation, reducing heat absorption.
• Green Infrastructure: Network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to provide ecological services.

Urban Heat Island